Waterfalls abounding...

So awesome story here.

On our way to Pokhara from Kathmandu, we were passing some mini streams that were waterfalls. I thought they were so pretty and I was wishing I could see a bigger one. Well amazingly enough, God granted that wish to me.

We got to stop at a huge waterfall!!

It was gorgeous and exhilarating!

Adrenaline was rushing through me (yes a waterfall can do that to me, so you could imagine how white water rafting affected me if I got uber excited just by this).

This was such a great moment. I got to walk barefoot on a waterfall river bed on stones that were so smooth...oh... haha it was truly wonderful. Not to mention the fact that if you let the water carry you, you would die. The little river bed dropped off about 20-30 feet away down to a rock steep death. Good thing it was only like 3 inches deep.

God made me smile this day :)

Serious and Funny moments in a temple

Before ministry in the Tibetan refuge camp (I am almost positive that this temple was at the camp) we had the chance to check this temple/ monastery out.

Then afterwards we got to go back while the monks were doing recitations and chants inside.

Hearing the chants and 'music' was pretty eerie.While sitting on a pew (yes I was able to sit on a pew just like this pic but on the other side of the room) I was in a deep thought about spiritual things when I looked down and what do I see on the floor? A nasty cockroach. I quickly pulled my feet up and so did my friend who was sitting next to me. I thought I was safe but that diminished. The cockroach decided to crawl up next to my feet on the pew! Trying not to make a scene during the ceremony thing, I got up (more like jumped up) and walked behind the pews and was going to sit on the floor but just as I was about to sit, what decides to get on the floor and come over to me? The stupid cockroach! So I ran back to my seat and the cockroach finally left me alone. I am glad I didn't make a scene. How embarrassing would that have been? haha

A squattie...

Yes,

Here it is folks.

A squattie pottie...

They actually are not that hard to use. I consider myself pro at it from the beginning.

Never had to use that change of clothes in my backpack :)

This particular one was located at the Leper colony so it isn't very nice. I have used nicer ones than this. This is a poor mans squattie I guess you could say.

A defining moment...

This is true love right here in this picture.

When a teenager holds the hands of a leper with no fear or shame.

Only love.

I cannot tell you how proud I am of my friend for this act of love she showed this old, lonely woman. Although they couldn't understand each other,

my friend showed God's love by holding this lepers hand.

I love you, my Canadian friend :)

You are so special and I know you will be greatly rewarded for this act of love.

A funny moment at the Leper Colony...

So when we visited the Leper Colony I was able to play with this adorable little girl.

I thought she was the cutest thing (still do). She was very fascinated with our water bottles and especially our cameras!!

Well as we were playing with her and our cameras and water bottles we noticed a wet spot on the ground. At first I thought a water bottle leaked but the mother of the child immediately picked the girl up and I knew that the kid just peed.

Well that wasn't the worst part.

The mother, right in front of us, took the kids pants off!

And that was our dawning moment when we saw with our own eyes are mistake. This little girl was no little girl...

She was a boy.

haha as soon as the mother walked away, we all looked at eachother and laughed. We all had thought that he was a she.

We were wrong.

Funny times.

Shanta

This woman is a powerful woman of God. You can tell by listening to her and her story that she is deeply in love with Christ and she wants everyone to know it.

Here is her story that I have taken from her website that I will share at the end.

"Peace Rehabilitation Center was founded by Shanta Sapkota. She was born in the town ofGorkha, Nepal. Her father brokered an arranged marriage for her at the age of twelve, in order to get her out of the house. She was neglected in her new household and suffered from much physical and mental affliction. Constantly in search of peace and love, she felt like an orphan. When in her Bible she read, “I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you” (John 14:18), she became aware of God’s promise for her and committed her life to serving Him.

At age twenty-five Shanta left home and family in Gorkha and made her way to Kathmandu, where she found work and began a new life.

She also joined classes at a mission where she learned much aboutlove, care, and the need for service to victims of sex trafficking.Shanta felt compelled to join in these efforts and immediately decided to commit herself to the care of a former sex worker who was dying of AIDS. She shared her decision with friends, who agreed to support her efforts. Overwhelmed by the task before her, she was encouraged by Jesus’ words in John 15:16: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” PRC’s foundational work and continuing ministry give evidence to the truth of this verse.Shanta chose the name Peace

Rehabilitation Center because in her time of abandonment and sorrow as a young woman, God’s peace gave her hope and new life. From her own experience, she knows the importance of love and peace in the lives of the many girls who call her mother. Shanta says with confidence, “Although I will not always be here, the work and mission of PRC will never die because it is not my work, but the Lord’s.”

Her story was even better in person and hearing her conviction and passion was remarkable. I will never forget Shanta and the girls at this home.

Here is the link to Shanta's site about the home and even a way to donate to this cause.

http://peacerehab.org/index.html

Pushing myself to new heights..

Literally! This is one of Nepal's tallest/longest suspension bridges and I crossed it! Twice!

Now, if you don't know already, I am deeply scared, more like terrified of heights. The first thing I had to push myself to do was to fly on an airplane, by myself and wander the airport of Chicago to baggage claim, by myself. I also didn't like doing big things like that by myself. But now I can do it.

Anyway, back to the bridge. So it was very scary. A beautiful view but very scary. It took every ounce of me to not freak out or something. But with the help of some friends, I was able to go over it and back again.

I conquered it!

Nepal was...

amazing!!!

I had so much fun playing with the kids (as seen in the picture), meeting new people, trying new food, and doing new things. It was the time of my life and I wouldn't trade any second of it away. I know God used me in might ways, although I was not able to see the fruit of my planting, I know there will be a harvest because of me. My strongest point and I pray I did it well, was playing with the children and showing them love. It wasn't everyday that white people would stop and love on these kids or play with them. In fact, I am sure it almost never happens. My team made an impact on many lives just by playing with the kids and showing the people that we were different. That we were not just some group of tourists that will go and make a ruckus and cause problems. We were responsible teenagers sharing the love of Christ. I could not have asked for a better team of people. Each and everyone of them are near and dear to my heart and I will miss them greatly but thank God for facebook and other ways of keeping in touch.

This is just one post, I will post more in the time to come.

Namaste! (greeting in Nepali)

So we went to a few villages where the language barrier really hit my team hard. but we pushed through and had some great stories. We also went to the orphange the other day and the kids loved us. There were more boys than girls and more older kids than younger. But it was fun to love on them and interact with them.

Here is a little insight to Nepal :

In Nepal there are :

More gods than people.

More temples than houses.

More festivals than days.

Just thought I would share.

today we are going to Shanta's house where she saves girls from the sex trafficking system. I am excited about that. And soon we are leaving Kathmandu and heading to Pokhara. which I am told is beautiful.

Oh and so far on this trip I have used a squat tie (asian "toilet" which is basically a hole in the ground) I have used it 3 times and they are not very hard to use at all. haha just weird.

Ok well that is all for now!

Keep me in your prayers! I am not feeling too great. I have a cold that is horrible.

<3

I am here!

so after days of traveling my team made it to Kathmandu, Nepal :) And at the moment I am typing on a hard keyboard so excuse my horrible typing. We visited the Monkey Temple yesterday which was a real eye opener. I saw a woman crying and screaming and wailing in front of an idol and apparently she was doing other crazy like things that even the nepali people around her didn't think that was normal. We wonder if she might have been possessed. which is a crazy idea for me to think i might have seen a possessed woman. I saw people give money and bow to idols. I saw many things.
the streets are pretty messy. lots of trash and smells (bad) that take getting used to. The streets are small and crammed with cars,busses and scooters not to mention that thier streets are teh sidewalks so you ahve to walk along side wtih trafic 2 inches away from you. It gets pretty scary.
Today was the first time we actually got out to look around. It is still taking time to get used it and is freaky too. The trafic scares me haha
Went to church today (yes on satrday) and it was pretty cool. It was awesome to see all those people worshipping God in another language. We had translators so we heard the sermon . though I didnt particuarly agree with the pastor, it was very good.
Right now i am at an internet cafe and after this we are getting dinner then meeting back at the hotel.
Though nepal is crazy haha I am enjoying my time. we haven't gotten into ministry just yet but I am sure we will soon. I think i am getting over jet lag but now i am starting to get a cold :( not fun. please pray it goes away.
Love you all and I will try and keep you updated!

T minus 4 days!!!

Well, I leave on Saturday, at 4am to head to the airport where I will wait for 2 hours and then board my flight to Chicago. I am so excited and so very nervous! The emotions are running high. Please keep me in your prayers that morning as I head out and start this amazing journey. I was told I could recieve mail while at Training camp which is until July 5th (actual day we leave). So, if you are interested in sending something, here are a couple different ways you can do that!

Email :

http://reignministries.org/royal-servants/friends-family/royal-servants-mail-guide/hayfield-express/

Real mail or packages :

http://reignministries.org/royal-servants/friends-family/royal-servants-mail-guide/snail-mail/

I would absolutely love to get something so please send it!! Thank you all so much for the support you have given me. It would not have been possible without you :)

God, again you make me smile to no end!

Can you believe that in 22 short days I will be stepping on to an airplane by myself and heading to Chicago for Training Camp. Then on July 4 my team and I will be heading to Nepal on a very long flight.

I have to say, that when I sent my last blog update, I didn't know that I still needed to raise money. At that time, I needed $92. Now that number has dropped to $22!!! My travel insurance is being covered, I received $55 worth of gift cards and next week we are going shopping for clothes and the rest of my supplies. I am super excited!! It has been so amazing to watch God work and send in the money.

I recently was wondering why God would let me get all excited when I thought I had all my funds but then be let down when I realized I had $92 left to raise. I think I know why. And that is to keep me trusting in Him and looking to Him. I am glad that I still had money to raise. I enjoy the time of prayer I have with Him and I enjoy trusting in Him. haha which I just realized. I am totally and completely happy when I am trusting God. I love the feeling!!

Well, I recently just found out that you are able to send me care packages while I am at Training camp! how cool is that? I would be soooo happy if I got some packages! These packages can include : chips, candy, gum, silly bands (to hand out to kids in Nepal), etc. It would make me feel all warm inside to get a package. So please, send one! I will be at training camp during June 25 to July 4. If they are sent on July 4 or after, the package will be sent back so please be sure to send it before that date! I will update you further on the address to send a package to.

Thank you all for your support and prayer and I hope I can convince my mom or dad to keep you all posted through my blog or facebook during the summer!

My new baby Something!!!

Well here it is, my new sibling! Little Abigail Constance or James Tiberius (middle name still pending). He/she is due December 8th and everything is on track :) I cannot wait to meet this little gift from Heaven <3

God you make me smile

I have been at this fundraising for my trip since October 2009. That was when I heard that life changing chapel from Kairos. That day I was introduced to the group Royal Servants and the idea of a life time. What if I went on a mission trip? From that day on all my mind could focus on was going on a Mission trip. So I picked the country (of course, i was drawn to the most expensive trip on the list). I wanted to go to Nepal. Then I began the support raising process. That first year I raised $920! Although I wasn't able to go that first summer, I knew I would do what I had to do to go the next summer. Now here I am, $3,580 more than I had (FINISHED!), 41 days away and supplies are nearly finished with getting!

I went to church a week ago and told them I needed $795 left. I think it was Tuesday that my school sent in $250 and on Friday I was given a total of $320 which brought my total down to $200 left to raise. So I went to church today and told them all that my total went from $795 to $107!! That morning, before I made my announcement, a friend gave me a check for $73 and the children's church gave me $20. Then, before I left church, i was given $107!! The rest that I needed! You could say that I was on cloud 9 for the rest of the day :)

So later I had a request from a friend that I should post my packing list on Facebook. So I did. 30 minutes later I got an email (by the way, during that 30 mins I was praising God and also asking Him to let people help by giving things on my list) the email was from a family from church. They were going to provide basically everything on my list (minus clothes!) How amazing and quickly does our God work!! And now I have been told that someone wants to take me clothes shopping! You can say that cloud 9 is in the stars right now :) I don't know how much clothes they can help me get but however much they do give, will be a blessing and I am truly thankful!!!

God has done a might work through all those who are helping me get to Nepal and I am super excited! I can't wait till June 25 when I get on that plane to go to Chicago for Training Camp then on July 7 when we actually start the flight to Nepal :)

PRAISE GOD!

My minute with the Master of Suspense!

Well tonight was an unforgettable night for me! I got to meet none other than the Master of Suspense, Ted Dekker! I got my picture taken with him and my copy of 'The Priest's Graveyard" signed by him. Sorry, this was the best pic that was taken. The man taking pictures didn't get one of either or us looking up. haha anyway. It was great. When he first got there I just happened to look beside me to see who was walking by and it was him!!! I like lost my breath haha. He even took a video of all the fans. Oh and did I mention that I was FIRST in line??? He talked about his book and the justice in it. "Everyone is twisted. I mean, come on! Who wants to be straight?" ~Ted Dekker. That line was the most awkwardly funny line ever! We all laughed it off and then he began his book signing. Oh and when he first got there, I teared up. Yes, I the girl who doesn't cry while watching the sad movie 'Soul Surfer' almost cried because Ted Dekker was standing less than five feet away! So I got to talk to him and I believe I told him I love his books. At least, I hope I told him. I had all this stuff planned out to say and didn't say any of it. Oh well. I am just glad I got to meet him.

Well this was was an answered prayer, how silly it may sound. I prayed for this. A few weeks ago Ted Dekker had this 'Share the Love event' and you could reserve and buy a bundle of buying copies of the Priest's Graveyard and you would get all this stuff for free depending on how many you bought. Well I almost did it. I almost bought 8 copies of the book so I could get a backstage pass to meet Ted Dekker! My heart literally flipped out and I was very close to actually doing it. Well then I began to think about my trip and if I bought all 8 books it would cost a lot of money that I didn't know if I would be getting back for my birthday or not. So in the end I chose to save my money. But in doing that I asked God that I would be able to meet Ted Dekker another time since this was a sacrifice for me. I mean Ted Dekker is my hero and I was ready to spend as much as I needed to meet him. So that was my prayer to God and I left it at that.

Well then last week I saw that he was coming to Atlanta for a public book signing!! I talked to my parents and we had it settled. I was going to meet him. And that was what I did! We got there are 5pm and the signing technically was going to start at 7pm but there was a change of plans and it started at 6pm. We got there at the perfect time and was first in line!

Tonight was amazing and I am so glad I got to meet him. He is my hero and inspiration when I write my stories. I only hope that one day I may have the honor of being as well known as him.

Ted Dekker

Here are some stuff from Ted Dekker about his new book "The Priest's Graveyard" which I am sure to be an AWESOME book!!

Here is a review for the book :

http://www.booklistonline.com/ProductInfo.aspx?pid=4648877&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

Here is an interview with Ted Dekker himself!!

http://fictionaddict.com/2011/04/11/ted-dekker-interview-4-11-2011/

Open my eyes

I sent this to my team that is going to Nepal and I hope it helps not only them but maybe some of you as well :)

There are a few times in the Bible where men’s eyes were opened to the glory of the Lord. Such was the case in Genesis 21:19, Numbers 22:31, 2 Kings 6:17 and Luke 24:30-31. In the wonderful devotional book “This day with the master” by Dennis F. Kinlaw, he writes a three day devotional called “Opened eyes” (March 3-6). On the first day of the devotional he talks about a missionary friend who had a burden from God to feed thousands of widows and orphans but all he had was the dream to do it. God “opened his eyes” and showed him how to fulfill his calling and this man was able to feed eighteen thousands of widows and orphans each day. At the end of the devotional, Kinlaw says this, “Has God given you a burden? Somewhere there are resources for you to meet that responsibility. You must have his quickening touch on the eyes of your imagination so you can see the resources that are available to you.” Now I read this at a time not too long ago that I was having some real doubts. I knew God called me to go to Nepal but I didn’t know how I could get the money for it. I had people that were not really meaning to but ended up sowing seeds of doubt in my heart and it didn’t feel good to me. After I read this I prayed (every time I remembered) that God would open my eyes to the resources He has planned for my trip. And I promise you, every time I prayed that and truly felt 100% into that prayer, God showed up and had if not one, but multiple people tell me they were going to send money for me. And today, it happened again! I prayed that prayer and I had someone tell me that they (and friends) would be able to give me a minimum of $500 and up to $700!! What makes that even better was that a few months ago they told me they might be able to get me $400 and that number grew to $500-$700!! Can I get an amen?? Haha!! Also today my school told me they would be able to give $200! Once this money gets in, along with three other checks I am expecting to get in soon, I will have over $3,000 for my trip! God is doing so much that I could never have expected back in January 2009!! So I just wanted to share this encouragement with all of you who are still struggling. I know what it is like because last year, that was me. I encourage all of you to pray the prayer and ask God to open your eyes to the resources He has planned for all of our trip! Good luck and God’s speed to you all!

Oh and if you don’t have a daily devotional book, I really think this is an amazing devotional book that is worth taking a look at!

Want to donate?

Here is how you can help me raise $4,495 for my mission trip!

Follow this link :

https://www.egsnetwork.com/gift/gift.php?giftid=987CB98F-8E54-49C1-A741-DB61173F489F

Search for my name (Beka Kopenski) through the box that is after the "designated as:"

And fill in the information!

Amid the silent corpses a baby cried out—and Japan met its tiniest miracle.

On March 14, soldiers from Japan's Self-Defense Forces went door to door in Ishinomaki, a coastal town northeast of Senda, pulling bodies from homes that had been flattened by the earthquake and tsunami. More accustomed to hearing the crunching of rubble and the sloshing of mud than sounds of life, they dismissed the baby's cry as a mistake. Until they heard it again.

They made their way to a pile of debris and carefully removed fragments of wood and slate, shattered glass and rock. And then they saw her: a 4-month-old baby girl in a pink woolen bear suit.

A tidal wave literally swept the baby from her parents' arms when it hit their home on March 11. Afterward, her parents — both of whom survived the disaster — took refuge in their wrecked house, worried that their little girl was dead. Soldiers managed to reunite the baby with her overjoyed father shortly after the rescue.

"Her discovery has put a new energy into the search," a civil defense official told a local news crew. "We will listen, look and dig with even more diligence after this." Ahead of the baby's rescue, officials reported finding at least 2,000 bodies washed up on the shoreline of Miyagi prefecture. How the child survived drowning — or being crushed by fallen trees and houses — remains a mystery.

A mystery? I have a theory...God. Our awesome, mysterious and amazing God who is in control of everything! And I wonder if He has an awesome plan for this precious little baby girl..

I just thought I would share. This is such an awesome story!

The door will shut

In chemistry class we have been watching a musical movie on Noah's ark. I have learned a lot about how things might have been for Noah and his family and how difficult it was to leave everyone behind to die. We just finished the scene where Noah and his family entered the ark and were trying to convince people to join them last minute. But no one new entered and God shut the door blocking them from ever entering the ark.

It reminded me of death. Death is God's way of shutting the door. Noah couldn't reverse and open the door. It was shut. That is what death will be like. The door will shut and no one can change their lives.

We have one life to live. Our life is our once chance to live for God. Once we die, there is no going back and opening the door.

A peace that passes all understanding

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

Last night I was doing literature homework, not even thinking about Nepal when it just popped in my head. Immediately I felt a sense of peace just wash over me. It felt warm and fuzzy :) Then I just knew deep in my heart that I was going to go to Nepal and that it would all work out. I have to say that after that experience my day has been wonderful! I'm praising and thanking God for giving me His peace last night for I really have been in need of it.

Oh and I really need some prayer! This week we are starting the process of getting my passport and from what I heard it can take a long time. Well I only have like 3 months to get it so if you all would pray, and pray hard that it all gets done and sent back to me soon.

Oh and Praise be to God! I am almost to the half way point in raising funds!

"Oh me of little faith!"

"And he said to them, Why are you fearful, O you of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm." Matthew 8:26

Today I got back from a women's refresher in Alabama. It was an overnight stay from Friday to Saturday. Friday night the lady singing, Kim Mclean, said God was telling her to sing a song that she had written and it was called "Oh me of little faith" and what she talked about in the song spoke to me. Lately it seems I have been feeling doubts creep in. I want to go to Nepal so bad I fear about not going and I start asking questions to myself like "What if I don't go?" and such. What she said just told me that I need to stop asking and start Praising and thanking God for what He is about to do in my life! And on top of that, this morning I was reading in my new devotional called "This day with the master" by Dennis Kinlaw, and it spoke about opening our eyes to God and seeing the blessings He has for us and that spoke to me. I need to open my eyes to the resources of Gods storehouses. I know He will get me to Nepal I just have to trust Him and open my eyes to his plan.

My blog title

"I will follow."

Why did I chose this title? Simple. After hearing the song I will follow by Chris Tomlin, I knew that was what I wanted to do. I wanted to follow Jesus every where He sent me. Though it is hard sometimes. I know I should do this or that but I don't want to or this or that person is too hard to deal with, I know I need to work with them because that is what Jesus would do. I will go where ever He sends me. I will stay when He wants me to stay. I will move when He wants me to move. I will love who He loves. I will serve who He serves. I will follow God's plan for my life...

"Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow...

All your ways are good
All your ways are sure
I will trust in you alone
Higher than my side
High above my life
I will trust in you alone
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/c/chris_tomlin/i_will_follow.html ]
Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow you
Who you love, I'll love
How you serve I'll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you
I will follow you

Light unto the world
Light unto my life
I will live for you alone
You're the one I seek
Knowing I will find
All I need in you alone, in you alone

In you there's life everlasting
In you there's freedom for my soul
In you there joy, unending joy
And I will follow"

"My name is Beka and I am 16 years old. This summer I will be going on a missions trip with Reign Ministries to the country of Nepal for 6 weeks during the summer of 2011. This will be such a great opportunity for me. I have heard from so many people that mission trips change lives and that is exactly what I wish. For my life to be changed even more for the Glory of God. All of my life I have wanted to go on an adventure and what better way to go on an adventure than on an adventure for God? I cannot wait to see how God will use me and others in Nepal this summer!"